Moving from Vancouver, WA to Portland, OR
The drive from Vancouver to Portland covers 13 mi in about 23 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
13 mi Β· 23 min by car Β· OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 30, WA 500 |
| Major cities en route | Gresham, Hillsboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vancouver | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Portland and Vancouver is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Portland is 0.0% above Vancouver ($534,638 vs $509,318 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Vancouver -0.7%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vancouver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Vancouver (54.0Β°F) and Portland (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VANCOUVER PEARSON AP, WA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vancouver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $78,156 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.24 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $78,156 in Vancouver vs $88,792 in Portland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Vancouver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $509,318 in Vancouver β a 5.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Vancouver to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 13 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Portland, OR from Vancouver, WA?
The driving distance is 13 mi and the route typically takes 23 min via I 5 and US 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Vancouver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $55,940 in the Vancouver MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Vancouver vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $78,156 in Vancouver β a 13.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Vancouver.
City profiles: Vancouver, WA Β· Portland, OR.